On February 4, 1925, during a VISD school board meeting, Frank H. Crain, Sr. made a motion to create Victoria Junior College.  The event was commemorated on February 4, 2025, a century later at Patti Welder Middle School.

When the college began, it was a part of Victoria Independent School district.  Classes were held on the third floor of Patti Welder High School (as it was known in 1925)  The college’s inaugural year had 51 students.  100 years later, 7,000 students attend the institution in education and workforce training.

Traveling to attend the commemoration ceremony were three of Mr. Crain’s granddaughters – Olive “Bebe” Crain (San Antonio), Pam Crain (Utah) and Julie Heinitsh (North Carolina).

“My sisters and I were really honored to be contacted,” Heinitsh said.  “I’m proud of what he did.  It’s been an important part of our lives, so it is great to be able to come here and be a part of this celebration.” 

To establish a junior college in 1925 was an evolutionary idea that would change the public education system in Victoria.  The college provided students who did not have the resources to leave their community, the opportunity to obtain at least two years of collegiate education locally.

Pictured L-R - Olive "Bebe" Crain, Julie Heinitsh and Pam Crain